Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1
Montgomery County Station 69C
Pottstown Pennsylvania

"The original boyz in the hood"
Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1
76 North Franklin Street
Pottstown Pennsylvania 19464
(610)-326-2212

EMERGENCY'S DIAL 911

EMAIL WEBMASTER
Clothes dryers accounted for the largest share of appliance and tool fires between
1994-1998.


Facts & figures*

There were 14,300 clothes dryer fires in U.S. homes in 1998, resulting in 19 deaths,
312 injuries and $67.7 million in direct property damage.

The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires was lack of maintenance (30%), followed
by unidentified or unknown-type mechanical failure (11%) and part failure, leak or break
(10%).

Clothing (not on a person) was the most common source of ignition in home clothes
dryer fires, followed by dust, fiber or lint.

(*From NFPA's U.S. Home Product Report: Appliances and Equipment   Involved in
Fires, January 2002.)

Safety tips

Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter. Clean lint filters before or after each use
and remove accumulated lint from around the drum.

Make sure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet suitable for its electrical needs as
overloaded electrical outlets can result in blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.

Turn the dryer off when leaving the home.

Keep the dryer area clear of combustibles (i.e., boxes or clothing).

Dryers should be installed and serviced by a professional.

Have gas-powered dryers inspected by a professional regularly to ensure that the gas
line and connection are intact.
Counter